What is ‘unicorn hunting’? The new couples trend that doesn’t always end well

All you need to know about what some couples are turning to in a bid to spice up their relationship

BY RACHEL MOORE

3rd December 2017, 2:26 pm

Updated: 3rd December 2017, 5:42 pm

YOU may never have heard of it, but “unicorn hunting” is the latest trend among couples looking to spice up their love life.

With a rise in the popularity of “polyamorous” relationships, couples are on the look out for a third person in order to become a “throuple.”

Getty - Contributor

'Unicorn hunting' is where a heterosexual couple seek a bisexual woman to join their relationship

"Unicorn hunting" is where a male/female couple look to find one person who they can permanently invite into their relationship.

They form a "triad" with the couple and the three people have group sex.

But the couple aren't looking to have a threesome with just anyone.

People who go "unicorn hunting" are specifically looking for a bisexual woman.

Corbis - Getty

Couples form a 'triad' with their unicorn who is exclusive to them sexually and romantically

The number of straight couples only looking to find a "unicorn" has reached such high numbers that many polyamorous people see it as a cliche.

Surprisingly, unicorn hunting isn't a casual affair.

The couple expect their "unicorn" to be both sexually and romantically exclusive.

They also demand that a unicorn is attracted to them both equally and interested in only having group sex.

But the couple are not looking to bring her fully into their relationship.

In fact, their aim is to not let the "unicorn" come between them.

Finding someone who meets all the criteria is as hard as you might imagine - hence the naming of the phenomenon after the elusive mythical creature.

Alamy

The bisexual women are called 'unicorns' because they are seen as legendary and hard to find.

But even if they succeed, it's not always happily ever after..

An anonymous polyamorous man told Business Insider that he has never known a straight couple, searching for a bisexual woman, to have worked out.

The addition of a third person can put enormous strain on a relationship.

Worse still, many people in the polyamourous community think that "unicorn hunting" is just a way for a man in a relationship to sleep with other women, safe in the knowledge that their partner is not sleeping with other men.